For the second time in as many attempts, world-renowned DJ Junior Vasquez was a no-show for his Student Association-sponsored performance at Sphere Entertainment Complex in downtown Buffalo -- this time because of distraught emotions and a bruised ego, according to officials.
SA President George Pape said there will not be a third attempt to bring the DJ to Buffalo.
"I take things in a very business-like manner, and certain things, like breaking a contract, are completely unacceptable," said Pape.
SA intends to contact its lawyers and seek an undetermined amount from Vasquez for damages, according to Pape. Should Vasquez not comply, Pape said SA would not hesitate to sue the DJ.
"He won't take advantage of the Student Association or the students," said Pape.
Following a fall-out Thursday with his home club on in New York City, Vasquez was reportedly too upset to make the trip to Buffalo and perform on Friday.
"Maggie (Hausbeck, director of SA Entertainment) told me about 1 p.m. on Friday that Vasquez's people called and said he lost his residency at the Sound Factory," Pape said. "He lost his job and he's not dealing with it very well."
Vasquez was scheduled to perform Dec. 5, 2003 at Sphere, but a large accumulation of snow prevented the DJ from making the flight from his hometown of Manhattan to Buffalo.
This second cancellation has left Joe Marcella, the owner of Sphere, fuming.
"He's a prima donna, a 1980s reject," said Marcella. "I used to respect and look up to the guy, (but) now he's just crying the blues."
Pape said he could not understand why making the short trip to Buffalo would have been emotionally taxing for Vasquez.
"We were flying him in first class from New York," Pape said. "We had a stretch limousine to pick him up and take him to the Hyatt, then take him to Sphere to perform for four hours, and then take him back to his hotel. It wasn't that difficult."
Employees of the Sphere also expressed anger at the temperamental DJ.
"This guy has screwed up over more than one time," said Jason Adams, a security guard and Sphere party promoter. "This is a big letdown for UB. This is a big letdown for Joe Marcella."
According to Pape, Friday night was not the first time Vasquez has broken a contract to perform. Pape said The Guvernment, a Toronto club, won a breach of contract suit against Vasquez.
Well aware of Vasquez's uncertainty, Marcella said Sphere was prepared with a contingency plan. The price of admission dropped from $10 to $3, and Dayhota, a DJ from Chicago who performed Thursday night at Opium Lounge in Buffalo, agreed to go on stage in place of Vasquez.
In an attempt to reconcile with UB students and attract them back to Sphere, Jason Adams, the Sphere employee, promised a $5 discount to UB students at Sphere's upcoming South Beach-themed party on Feb. 6.
For UB students like Matthew Milewski, a sophomore undecided major, this was the second time out to see Vasquez.
"I was disappointed when he didn't show up last time," said Milewski, sighing Friday night with frustration as he learned that Vasquez would not be performing.
Milewski remained positive, however.
"I'm already here and it's only $3," he said. "I'll still have a good time."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
